Buffalo Sabres: 5 more players and their Bills equivalents

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Apr 17, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) and Philadelphia Flyers right wing Owen Tippett (74) battle for position during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Mattias Samuelsson, D

Buffalo Bills Equivalent: Jordan Poyer, S

Jordan Poyer is a grizzled veteran while the 22-year-old Mattias Samuelsson has seen just 54 games of NHL action. But the two are among the hardest-hitters on the Bills and Buffalo Sabres, which is why I paired them.

Early in his career, Poyer, who earned First Team All-Pro honors last season, was one of the NFL’s best special teams aces. Samuelsson, at just 22, is one of the more consistent hitters in the league, earning 100 last season in just 42 games of action.

Poyer spent most of his early career with the Cleveland Browns before he became a star with the Bills, having never recorded fewer than 93 tackles and four tackles for losses in a single season. He also has 18 interceptions, 10 sacks, and a defensive touchdown to his name as of 2021.

And while I don’t see Samuelsson doing much in the takeaway department, I can see him logging a modest 25-30 points, 100-plus blocks, and 200-plus hits per season. Will he ever receive NHL All-Star honors? I can see it happening, but like Poyer, it may come later in his career.

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